Kieron dyer has admitted that he was left suicidal by his frustrating struggle against injury, the Newcastle midfielder who has represented England has fought hamstrings problems as well as muscle problems. This was compounded by his illness and the side effects of the drugs he took. Having only played 2 games for Newcastle this season Dyer said that he felt suicidal and only support from his family, teamates and manager kept him going. Dyer has undoubted talent but hiccups along the way have as of yet stopped him from fulfilling his talent. We wish him well and hope that he is back wearing a Newcastle jersey soon especially as the Toon Army are struggling in the league.

Posted by Spraggy at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments

Today has seen 7 Premiership matches played and all in all it was a pretty straight forward day. Chelsea are now 12 points clear at the top of the table after Wigan were consigned to a 4th straight Premiership defeat. Despite a valiant effort by Wigan another goal from John Terry on 67 minutes was enough for champions to see off Paul Jewels men 1-0. Wigan didn't create many openings and were lucky to avoid giving away a penalty after Lee McCulloch's blatent handball. Chelsea weren't brilliant but scarping out results like this is how Championships are won.



Todays early kick off saw Liverpool take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside. It was plain sailing for Liverpool who after a 7th straight victory are now 2nd in the table. A brace from Fernando Morientes was enough to give the Reds a comfortable victory building upon a recent run of good form. Chris Riggot was sent of late on for Boro for a challenge that didn't look worthy o a yellow. Benitez said of his side "The whole team performed well and it was a pleasing home display."

At St. Andrews the pressure has been lifted on Steve Bruce after his side overcame Fulham 1-0 thanks to a goal 6 minutes from time from ex Man Utd midfielder Nicky Butt. Both sides were apalling in the first half but a dominant first half performance from Bruce's men was eventually rounded off with a deserved three points. By far the most exciting game of the day saw Blackburn pit themselves against Premiership new boys West Ham. The Hammers took the lead but 2 goals in 2 minutes from Paul Dickov put Blackburn into the lead. The game was drawn level on 63 minutes by Harewood but Kuqi sealed the three points for Mark Hughes' side to complete a 3-2, 5 goal thriller.

A good performance from West Brom gave Bryan robson something to cling too. They dominated Man City from start to finish and should have been rewarded with more goal. Goals from Kamara and Campbell were enough to seal the win, the sending off of Andy Cole late on compounded City's misery. Hapless Sunderland were beaten 2-0 by Charlton and Bolton played out a 1-1 draw with Villa.

Posted by Spraggy at 6:26 PM | Permalink | Comments

At 8:30 last night England held it's breath as the countries World Cup hopes hang in the balance but by 9 o'clock the country breathed a huge sigh of relief as they managed to avoid the big sides and were drawn in a group with first timers Trinidad and Tobago, Paraguay and Svens home country of Sweden. Paraguay have never beaten england and Trinidad have a squad assembled mainly from English teams in League 1. Despite not having beaten Sweeden since 1968 I think as do many others that England should easily move out of this group and into the last 16 come the competition in June. I like the way Sven put it when asked about englands poor record against the Swedes. He said simply "Well it's about time we beat them then,". Providign our key players are fit and the team are on form then this group has presented England with a huge chance to win the World Cup on German soil. So England in a weak group, do you believe we have the chance to progress or are you unhappy with the draw. Leave your reaction, drop us a comment.

Posted by Spraggy at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments

Everton have been struggling this year and although a they have returned to form recently they still face a battle to save themselves from the drop. Their demise, I would say, is mainly due to he loss of holding midfielder Thomas Gravesen who left mid way through last season. Their fortunes could however be changing, according to todays papers Moyes has agreed a deal with Real Madrid to bring the Dane back to Goodison park. The deal is thought to be in the region of £2 million. Gravesen has failed to make an impact at Madrid and would be a big boost to the Tofess hopes this season. Moyes has assembled a big squad with big names including Beattie, Arteta, Van Der Meyde as well as other quality players. All they have lacked this season is a holding player, Gravesen is just that and if the rumours are true then Everton fans could see their side surging up the table. So will Gravesen come back or stay in Spain. Leave your comment and let us know.

Posted by Spraggy at 4:26 PM | Permalink | Comments

At the 2002 World cup a talented senegalise player wowed us all with his talent, his name? El Hadji Diouf. His pace and skill excited as he lead Senegal to unexpected success. But since coming to England he has been nothing but trouble. In the past spitting incidents have dogged his chances but today Diouf has been banned from driving for one year on a drink driving charge. What an idiot. He is a good player if he bothers to put in a good performance, why doesn't he just buck up off the pitch and give Big Sam the performances he deserves. I can't help but feel that Diouf is unble to deal with the money that comes with Premiership football and may be throwing a good career down the drain.

Posted by Spraggy at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments

Later today the drtaw for Germany 2006 will be drawn. England are seeded which means that they will avoid some of the giants in the group phase including Brazil, Argentina and Italy. However due to the ridiculous nature of the seedings Czech republic could still be in the same group as Svens men. In a worst case senario we could end up in the same group as Czech Republic, USA and Australia. This would be a tough group to get out off with the later of the two countries having developed superbly over the last few years. Ven has today announced that he wants to avoid an Ashies rematch and avoid the Socceroos at the group stage. The draw will take place in Leipzig at 7:30 GMT, with any luck England will end up with Togo, Ukraine and Iran whatever happens todays draw will go a long way to shaping Englands world cup hope. One team will be drawn from pot 1 one from pot one from pot 3 and one from pot 4 to create 8 groups of 4. Here are the pots.

Posted by Spraggy at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments

And so ends the sopa opera that has been Portsmouth's search for Perrin's replacement. Harry Redknapp has re-joined his former club after leaving the club over one year ago. The two chairmans have come to a deal worth an unknown fee. So Redknapp is back at the helm but what does this mean for Pompey, will they be saved from the drop or will next season be spent in The Championship. Looking at their squad i still believe that they will not have enough to end up above 18th. If Redknapp canbring in a striker to get as many goals of Yakubu then he might have a chance, a player of the desired quality will not come cheap unless Redknapp can barter and deal is way to obtaining a 20 goal a season man. Pompey fans will most likely welcome this news but they must realise that a lot of work is still to be done.

So will Pompey go down. Yes or No? Make your vote now, leave a comment.

Posted by Spraggy at 5:32 PM | Permalink | Comments

Harry redknapp is said to be on the brink of re-joining his ex side Portsmouth. The deal thought to be worth £220,00 to Southampton is set to be complete today after the loose ends have been cleared up. ACcording to Pompey chairman Mandaric a press conference will be held "Maybe later on, yes." It aooears that finally a solution has been found to the long running saga of who will be Alain Perrins replacement.

Posted by Spraggy at 2:12 PM | Permalink | Comments

3 wins, 2 draws, 3 loses and just 39 days in charge that justa bout sums up Paul Gascoignes time at non-league Kettering. He has left the club after just 8 games at the helm. Kettering are currently 6th in the table. The ex Newcastle midfielder was hired as part of the consortium led by Imraan Ladek who said today that "Following discussions it has been decided that Paul is unable to carry out his duties as manager," After failed moves to Japan and problems off the pitch this is yet another set back for a flawed football genius who's career has never fulfilled its potential. After the announcement today I wonder whether Gascoigne will be able to get back into the game he loves. If he does then it won't be until he has sorted himself out and decided where he wants to go in the game.

Posted by Spraggy at 4:39 PM | Permalink | Comments

Todays premiership adction saw 16 clubs in action here is a list of results.


I won't be doing a match report tonight but you can find one for each game through the BBC, a don't forget to tune into Match of The Day for all the highlights of todays games at 10:30 for all the Premiership and FA Cup highlights. Dont forget to leave your views on todays results.

Posted by Spraggy at 9:20 PM | Permalink | Comments

After 24 hours of play without a goal at Liverpool Peter Crouch finally broke his goalscoring duck. A massive deflection on his sht sent the ball high in the air and when it came down Wigan keeper Pollit flapped and sent the ball into his own net. There was much doubt over whether the goal was going to be credited to Crouch but then 4 minutes from the break Crouch chipped the keeper to get what might be his second of the game. A case of famine to feast for Crouch, at half time it is 2-0 to Liverpool who look set for victory and will move into 2nd place for an hour or so at least.

Pictured: Crouch in his younger days

Posted by Spraggy at 1:33 PM | Permalink | Comments

Tens of thousands of people have lined the streets of Stormont in Belfast to say goodbye to George Best, the ebst player who ever lived. A moving ceremony was attended by ex United players including Dennis Law. Several ex Northern Ireland teamates attended as well as Former Northern Ireland manager Billy Bingham, the government sent representatives as well as the world says goodbye to a man who brought a smile to the faces of millions. His son Calum gave a reading of two poems one he said struck a chord with him as I am sure it did with the millions watching worldwide. As the tributes are laid at Old Trafford and across Belfast we must remember George for the genius he showed on the pitch and not his troubles off it. Farewell to Legend

Posted by Spraggy at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments

Southampton welcome Burnley to St. Mary's today but Harry Redknapp will not be in charge. He has left his post at Suthampton after telling Rupert Lowe on Friday that it would be 'impossible' for him to stay at the club after specualtion linking him with a return to his former club Portsmouth. In what is turning into quite a saga it now appears as if Redknapp will be the replacement for Alain Perrin and will be the man to fight relegation at Fratton Park. But after our poll earlier this week I am not sure that Harry will be welcomed back to Fratton Park with open arms, many fans seem to be in favour of bringing in Alex McCleish into the club, this is now looking more and more less likely for the South Coast side. So will Redkanpp return, I think probably yes, will he be successful, only time will tell.

Posted by Spraggy at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments

Roy Keanes future will be made clear by Monday or so say his advisors. Today David Moyes confirmed that he has held talks with the Irish midfield star who sensationally quit Manchester United last month. Numerous clubs are interested including Real Madrid, a short term move to the Bernabau has been suggested and would see Keane link up once again with former United player David Beckham. Several Premiership clubs have declared their interest, no spurise, as at the age of 34 Keane is still very much a top class player. Similar to yesterday we want to hear from you so let us know who you think Keane will join. So far Bolton, Celtic, Everton, Man City, Portsmouth, West Brom, West Ham and Wigan have openly declared their interest with Keane alos being linked elsewhere. From my point of view I think it will either be Celtic or Bolton. They are both good sides with european potential. I can't see Roy Keane playing at a relegation battling side but you may think differently so drop us a line.

Posted by Spraggy at 4:53 PM | Permalink | Comments

So the saga continues, several weeks after the dismissal of Alain Perrin Portsmouth are still without a manager. Bobby Robson, Neil Warnock, Alex Mcleish and even Harry Redknapp have all been linked but as of yet no-one has been appointed. Yesterday Pompey were given permission to discuss a contract with Warnock and I thought that was that but today he opted to stay at Sheffield United and push for promotion. It was then declared by chairman Milan Mandaric that Harry Redknapp was to make a shock return to the club, but seemingly not, Southampton have rejected the approach so for the mean time redknapp is to stay put. Mcleish is looking like another option but with so many twists and turns having already been taken who knows who will end up as boss at Fratton Park.

Posted by Spraggy at 5:14 PM | Permalink | Comments